Does the book contain or encourage a
spiritual practice?
(Compassion, Generosity, Gratitude, Prayer, Praise, Hospitality,
Peacemaking, Reconciliation…)
This PBT question is a little easier
to grasp. Do keep an open mind about what defines a spiritual practice. These
are not just spiritual disciplines, like praying or fasting, nor are they
always specific behaviors such as peacemaking. A spiritual practice might be an
orientation towards others as in the case of compassion. You may know someone
who is very generous of spirit, but they have little money to give.
When approaching a picture book with this question, consider what in the picture book would please God. That question might help you focus on a spiritual practice. Then read the picture book to a group of children or adults and help them learn more about that practice in a context that is very real. Here’s an example: Contemplation is a fuzzy word. Contemplative prayer is hard to define and impossible to perfect. Contemplating God’s amazing world is a spiritual practice that we often engage in spontaneously and momentarily without identifying it as a spiritual practice. Think of when you arrive at the beach or when you see a full moon. Just because you don’t express your joy with words doesn’t mean you aren’t moved and thankful.
When approaching a picture book with this question, consider what in the picture book would please God. That question might help you focus on a spiritual practice. Then read the picture book to a group of children or adults and help them learn more about that practice in a context that is very real. Here’s an example: Contemplation is a fuzzy word. Contemplative prayer is hard to define and impossible to perfect. Contemplating God’s amazing world is a spiritual practice that we often engage in spontaneously and momentarily without identifying it as a spiritual practice. Think of when you arrive at the beach or when you see a full moon. Just because you don’t express your joy with words doesn’t mean you aren’t moved and thankful.
Contemplation is beautifully abundant
in the title character of The Incredible Peepers of Penelope Budd. Check out that PBT post [here.]
In these two illustrations, Penelope is
being especially observant. First she delights in a butterfly.
Then she contemplates her own image in a puddle of water.
Tie her orientation to delighting in God's creation and you have a model of a spiritual practice that even the youngest child can relate to. Add gratitude to God to such experiences and you have an integrated practice that can be theologically sustaining and grounding throughout a lifetime.
Here is a link to a PBT post that features another book about contemplative practices. This one has the children being more active and purposely going into nature to find the wonder of the world - the wonder of God.
Helping children and adults identify
what spiritual practices look like will affirm their good inclinations and
behaviors while offering rich information for potential
spiritual growth.
Here are links to more books in the PBT archive that directly connect to spiritual practices:
Creation Care - Here: The Dot We Call Home
Praise - I Love Our Earth!
Lamentation - several books
Hospitality - Hello World
Fruits of the Spirit, Courage, & Confidence - 2 Hische books
Listening - The Man with the Violin
Generosity - Mama Panya's Pancakes
Love - Love the World
Prayer or Social Justice - Say Something!
Gratitude - The Happy Owls
In a week or so I’ll be wrapping up my
explanation of the 5th question you can ask about a secular picture book. May your spiritual practices delight God!
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